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Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Albas named parliamentary secretary

Dan Albas, Okanagan Coquihalla MP, is the new parliamentary secretary to the president of the Treasury Board.

— image credit: Submitted Photo

Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas has a new job and title to add to his list of duties in Ottawa.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper named Albas as the new parliamentary secretary to the president of the Treasury Board.

“It’s a huge honour to be appointed by the prime minister to this important portfolio,” said Albas. “I think it’s also recognition of the importance of Okanagan-Coquihalla as a region and ensuring our views are represented in more senior roles.”

The work of a parliamentary secretary is varied, according to Albas, and ultimately is determined by the Treasury Board president, Tony Clement.

Typically a parliamentary secretary will communicate decisions and policies, help facilitate different Treasury Board-related bills and legislation through the House of Commons as well as providing guidance at the committee stage of review.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Albas as our government continues to focus on the economy, keeping our streets and communities safe, celebrating our history, and promoting Canada’s interests on the world stage,” said Harper, in a statement.

“Mr. Albas will play an important role in helping our government deliver on its commitments to Canadian taxpayers, including keeping taxes low, protecting Canadian families, and putting our finances on a sustainable path.”

Albas, still in his first term as MP, said he is looking forward to the new challenge, having taken his own private member’s bill through the House and serving on several parliamentary committees, including the standing committees on government operations and estimates and on justice and human rights.

“I am very excited for the opportunity. I welcome that challenge,” said Albas.

“I think this is going to be a fun but challenging learning curve.”

Though this is an extra workload, Albas said it won’t detract from his constituency duties. Rather, he said it’s a natural step to be able to continue to bring constituency concerns forward. Through advancing his private member’s bill and his work on communities Albas said he has built a reputation “as someone who is a team player and gets things done.”

“That’s why I got involved in public service in the beginning. It’s all about results, it’s all about making sure people are heard and their views are being represented, whether it was at the council table or in Ottawa,” said Albas.

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